We arrive in Brisbane for our first night together (lunch
at own expense, dinner in hotel).
Mercure Hotel Brisbane, Brisbane

Day 2

Meals Included:BreakfastDinner

Spirit of the Outback Rail journey

We discover Brisbane with a local guide before a 360º panoramic view of the city
on the Wheel of Brisbane. Boarding the Spirit of the Outback we begin our outback
adventure! From the comfort of our seat, watch as the scenery morphs into rugged
terrain as the train takes us on the 1,300 km journey to Longreach. The train offers a
unique insight into the history and culture of early Australia, combined with interesting
commentary, a social atmosphere and an authentic dining experience. Back in our
cabins, fall asleep listening to the gentle clickety-clack as the train comes towards our
destination (breakfast in hotel, lunch own expense, dinner on Spirit of the Outback).
Spirit of the Outback, Queensland Rail

Day 3

Meals Included:BreakfastLunchDinner

Arrive Longreach

Today the train leaves the coast, departing Rockhampton and travels via
Blackwater, Emerald and Barcaldine to Longreach. The daylight journey will allow
us to enjoy the magical colours and landscape of Outback Queensland (breakfast &
lunch on Spirit of the Outback / dinner in hotel).
Albert Park Motor Inn, Longreach

Day 4

Meals Included:BreakfastLunchDinner

Longreach with the Locals

Today we are going to have a special experience as we get an insight to the area
through the eyes of local graziers and pioneer families. We meet the owners of a local
station called Strathmore and learn about their operations and the challenges of
operating on the land. We step back in time at the Station Store in Longreach and
discover their excellent range of outback clothing, gifts, homewares, local crafts and
souvenirs. Roll up for laughs and legends at the Harry Redford Old Time Tent Show.
We are charmed by the fictional story of Harry Redford or “Captain Starlight” and his
infamous adventures with old-style outback humour and entertainment. After free time
to discover Longreach, we take a sunset cruise down the majestic Thomson River
and enjoy dinner on the bank. Be entertained with the local barefoot bush poet and
illuminated by the unique sound and light show (breakfast at hotel, Billy Can lunch
included, dinner on the Thomson River).
Albert Park Motor Inn, Longreach

Day 5

Meals Included:BreakfastLunchDinner

Longreach Sightseeing

We will see some dramatic and ever-changing scenery as we make our way to
Winton. The area was once home to dinosaurs and is full of ground breaking scientific
discoveries and archaeological digs. Today we will have the opportunity to learn about
this prehistoric phenomenon. The Australian Age of Dinosaurs is located on top of
the “jump up” – a rugged mesa plateau formation that stands 75 meters above the
surrounding plains. The centre hosts the largest collection of Australian dinosaur
fossils and the largest fossil preparation laboratory in the southern hemisphere. It was
in the Winton area that Banjo Paterson wrote his famous poem about the swagman
and the jolly jumbuck and “Waltzing Matilda”. It was first heard in the North Gregory
Hotel so you might like to buy yourself a drink here! Following some free time to
explore and purchase lunch, we visit the Waltzing Matilda Centre. Tragically, it was
burnt to the ground on June 17, 2015. Luckily for us, it has re-opened and is now a
world class museum and art gallery. We’ll listen to the “swaggie” tell his own version
of a story which has become Australia's greatest legend. Trace the history of Waltzing
Matilda as it chronicles the growth of a nation and enjoy a unique light and sound show
(breakfast & dinner in hotel / lunch at own expense).
Albert Park Motor Inn, Longreach

Day 6

Meals Included:BreakfastLunchDinner

Planes & Fame

Our adventure starts with uncovering some national treasures, such as the historic
1922 QANTAS hangar, at the QANTAS Founders Museum. The historic
photographs, memorabilia and multimedia displays bring alive the inspirational stories
of one of the world’s pioneering airlines. We visit the iconic Australian Stockmans
Hall of Fame to experience the Outback Stockman’s Show. It encompasses the
modern-day aspects of being a stockman, as well as telling the tales of what it used
to be like in the past (breakfast and dinner in hotel / lunch at Australian Stockman’s
Hall of Fame).
Albert Park Motor Inn, Longreach

Day 7

Meals Included:BreakfastLunchDinner

Longreach - Charleville

We farewell Longreach this morning and turn south to begin our journey to Charleville.
We travel through Isisford, a charming little settlement which has not changed
significantly since the turn of the century. We break in Blackall, where the legendary
gun shearer Jackie Howe set the almost unbelievable record of shearing 321 sheep
with blade shears in a day. A bronze statue now stands as a monument to the man
and the achievement. Late this afternoon, we arrive in Charleville and visit the
Cosmos Centre. The centre is an audio-visual extravaganza featuring hi-tech
interactive displays that will take us on an astronomical journey through the ages,
unravelling many mysteries of our night sky. We will enjoy some nibbles and drinks
before the open-air observatory viewing of the outback night sky (breakfast and dinner
in hotel / lunch at own expense).
Waltzing Matilda Motel, Charleville

Day 8

Meals Included:BreakfastLunchDinner

Charleville - Lightning Ridge

Today we will be crossing the border into New South Wales to Lightning Ridge.
Before this, we visit the Big Rig in Roma, which celebrates the unique history of
Australia's oil and gas industry, collecting together and presenting intriguing stories,
photos and facts. The Big Rig take visitors on an absorbing journey from Australia's
first discovery of petroleum, through the boom and bust years of oil and gas
exploration and onto today's multi billion dollar industry (breakfast and dinner in hotel
/ lunch in Roma).
Wallangulla Motel, Lightning Ridge

Day 9

Meals Included:BreakfastLunchDinner

Opal Discovery

Lightning Ridge is the only place in Australia (and one of the few places in the world)
where the precious and highly prized Black Opal is found. We begin with a guided
town tour to see Amigos Castle, a huge Italian Style Castle built by one man, the
Bore Baths and Coopers Cottage, an authentic miners camp. We experience the
atmosphere of an underground mine at Opal Mine Adventure. Here we’ll also learn
about opal mining through a video presentation and a visit the showroom to view the
opals that came from the mines in this area. We will be captivated by Chambers of
the Black Hand where local artist Ron Canlin has created the most amazing paintings
and sculptures 11.2 meters underground. There is The Last Supper, Archangel
Gabriel and the Chinese Terracotta Warriors. The second level is a mine that has been
worked for over 100 years, and all the old shafts and drives that were dug by the old
timers are still there. We finish our day at the Opal Cave, to discover how the opal is
cut and polished with a local opal expert (breakfast & dinner in hotel / lunch at own
expense).
Wallangulla Motel, Lightning Ridge

Day 10

Meals Included:BreakfastLunchDinner

Lightning Ridge - Parkes

Leaving Lightning Ridge, we travel south to Dundullimal Homestead, in Dubbo,
believed to be to oldest sophisticated slab house in Australia. Dundullimal’s sandstone
stables, timber church and rustic shed, showcase the hardships and conditions of rural
life on an isolated property. We continue our journey to Parkes, a town named after
one of the NSW’s most famous statesman, Henry Parkes. Look out for the huge
telescope situated to the north of the town (breakfast & dinner at hotel / lunch at
Dundullimal Homestead).
North Parkes Motor Inn, Parkes

Day 11

Meals Included:BreakfastLunchDinner

Depart Parkes

This morning, we have time to make a stop at Memorial Hill Lookout for fantastic
views of the town. We then make our way to the quaint village of Bowning. Housed in
a historic coach house and stables is Mayfield Mews. It has since been transformed
into a lovely café and unique shopping experience. We enjoy our delicious farewell
lunch here. We travel home with new friends and fond memories of our Spirit of the
Outback tour (breakfast at hotel / lunch at Mayfield Mews).

Notes

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